Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Helsinki

A Nightmare Stay at Radisson Blu Helsinki

I had an absolutely horrendous experience at the Radisson Blu in Helsinki. The hotel has an underlying safety issue with their 20-year-old hairdryer. On the second day after my check-in, the cable was leaking and sparking, which burned my hair and pajamas. When I reported this to the hotel manager, she offered a 60 EUR gift card to Sokos shopping mall as compensation. I refused and asked for a refund, which she eventually agreed to.

When I went to the reception to check out, a Russian-looking lady was there and told me she had to check with the hotel manager, displaying a quite unpleasant attitude. After disappearing into a side room near the reception, she returned to say I could check out and that they would inform Booking.com about the cancellation. I requested a printed proof or an email confirming that they would handle the issue if anything went wrong, but she flatly refused. Despite explaining why I needed this, she became even ruder and impatient, insisting that they could not provide such documentation. Eventually, she said they would email it to me, but when I asked when it would be sent, she replied, "We will send it as soon as we can," with a very unpleasant expression.

I then asked to speak with the hotel manager, Cristina. I was told Cristina was in a meeting and would be out "when she is out." This vague and unhelpful response was infuriating. The reception lady’s rudeness was overwhelming. I turned to another black-haired receptionist for help with the printed proof. She also seemed impatient but eventually came back with a printed paper with our booking information.

I am extremely disappointed with Radisson Blu. The hotel is old and has significant safety issues, and the reception staff's rude attitude only added to my frustration. I am not sure if the reception lady was being discriminatory because I am Asian or because I booked the room via Booking.com, but either reason would be unacceptable. I will never stay here again and strongly advise others to avoid this hotel.

Worst hotel I’ve stayed at in Europe. Room was not clean (fingernail clippings on the bedroom carpet). Impractical shower sprays onto the floor. Cleaning staff enter when “do not disturb” is on. Find another hotel.